A bigger BRICS, shaped by India’s vision

The article discusses the upcoming BRICS summit in New Delhi (2026), highlighting its significance amidst global geopolitical shifts and the expansion of BRICS to 11 members, whose collective economic output now surpasses the G-7. It emphasizes India's leadership in shaping the BRICS agenda, focusing on 'building resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability' (RICS). India's approach involves extensive preparatory meetings and initiatives across political-security, finance-economy, and culture-people-to-people pillars. Key initiatives include a Digital Centre of Excellence for Smart Grids, Logistics Supply Chain Framework, Centres of Excellence on Agro-Ecology, proposals for a start-up innovation fund, digital public infrastructure repository, and cooperation in areas like mental wellness, urbanisation, women's digital capacity, education, and sustainable aviation fuels. The article concludes that BRICS is crucial for enhancing members' strategic options and driving a multipolar world, aligning with India's foreign policy.